Few people actually consider food in terms of its fat burning qualities, but there are some that really do help a person to metabolize fat. Dieters may think this list contains only fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans, but that is far from the truth. Some foods that are commonly considered fat producing or calorie laden, such as dairy products, make the list of fat burning foods as well.

Milk is one of the things that makes the list of fat burning foods. First, it contains calcium, which actually works to stimulate the metabolism of fat. It also contains complex carbohydrates, which help keep a person's insulin levels low after he’s eaten. This is important because low insulin levels help encourage the metabolism of fat. When insulin levels are high, fat metabolism slows.

Another beverage that helps burn fat is green tea. This drink contains a chemical named epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) that helps a person burn fat and calories faster. It does this by stimulating the brain to increase the rate of calorie burning. Caffeinated green tea may be even more efficient at boosting a person’s metabolism.

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An individual interested in fat burning foods may also choose beef. Eating beef actually boosts the body’s metabolism because of its high protein content. Essentially, the body has to work harder to digest it than other foods, burning fat and calories in the process. In order to get the most out beef’s fat burning qualities, many dieters choose lean beef.

Many people are aware of oatmeal's heart-healthy qualities, but it also makes the list of fat burning foods. Oatmeal is a fiber-rich meal, which works to stimulate the body’s metabolism. Like many other fat burning foods, it also works to keep insulin levels low and help the body burn calories. Oatmeal also helps fill a person’s stomach, lengthening the amount of time he can comfortably go until his next meal.

There is one food that, whether right or wrong, historically has had an extremely bad reputation but is still good for burning fat: the egg. Eggs are packed with protein and help the body to both burn fat and build muscle. Eggs are also filling, so a person who eats them may be less likely to consume unhealthy foods, such as doughnuts and cakes. Some people avoid eggs because they are high in cholesterol. Eating them in moderation and as part of an overall healthy diet is safe for most people, however.

Discuss this Article

bythewellPost 2

Milk has been shown in scientific studies to help people lose weight, as has most of the other things on this list. But none of them works very well without a diet or exercise to back them up. The best way to lose weight is through a combination of strengthening and cardio exercises and eating well, usually counting calories. The exercise will increase your metabolism a lot more than eating any kind of food will.

If you don't exercise and diet, you can eat all the foods that burn fat in the world and it won't help you.

KoiwiGalPost 1

I've heard that eating hot foods can also help to increase your metabolism and maybe help you to burn fat a little more. It can make you sweat more as well. You can add hot sauce or chili powder to anything you like, although you should work your way up to eating a lot of it, as it can make you sick if you aren't used to eating it. Of course, I don't think it increases your fat burning all that much, so you might not think it is worth it.

I've heard the same thing about drinking ice cold water, that it makes you burn a couple of calories while you are heating it up, but again, is a handful of calories worth the effort?

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